From the post of Chris Johnson who wrote:
* " Perhaps Minneapolis should have a historic building law of some sort which reviews any proposed demolition, so that the school board (as the easiest, but not only, example) cannot indiscriminately bulldoze buildings of enduring structure and architecture. "
I wanted to note that Minneapolis has a very active Commission specifically designated to review the demolition (and physical alterations of all kinds) of historically important buildings, the Heritage Preservation Commission, which was begun in 1972, and on which I currently serve as a Commissioner.
While I believe only one public school building is currently protected in Minneapolis, a school in North Minneapolis, and I can't remember what it's name is at the moment, I do think that the city Planning Department and the City Council, partners with the HPC in all matters historic, might think the actual buildings have historic merit. To date, there hasn't been a formal study of the schools regarding their historic status and their architectural significance to the city, but I think the current situation is a great spark to get the ball rolling with a formal designation study.
A study would go a long way to determine whether or not the schools in question meet the designation criteria for historic protection under Federal, State and Local guidelines. A sampling of those guidelines is:
-the property is associated with significant events or periods of history that exemplify broad patterns of cultural or social history;
-the property contains or is associated with distinctive elements of city identity;
-the property embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural or engineering type or style, or method of construction;
-the property exemplifies works of master builders, engineers, designers, artists, craftsmen or architects.
And so on.
It is up to the consultant who conducts the survey, then the staff of the Planning Department and the HPC, and finally the City Council, to determine the historic significance and ultimate protection of a particular area, building, or, in this case, thematic grouping of buildings.
What designation status would do, while not altering the plans of the school board to close schools or to amalgamate them, is protect the buildings as they exist now from demolition and exterior changes that would alter the buildings' historic architectural integrity. In other words, re-use is entirely possible under designation status.
I think a broad study of the schools as architectural contributors to the history of Minneapolis is both appropriate and overdue. The question now is if the citizens of Minneapolis and the City Council (to which the HPC reports) is ready for such a study, and if the city is willing to pay for it.
For more information regarding the Planning Department and HPC guidelines, check out the website: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/planning.
Tracy Nordstrom East Calhoun, Commissioner, Heritage Preservation Commission
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